Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Thoughts Along a Blue Line

We had a very heavy rain event at the end of last week. The idea of fishing had crossed my mind the only question was how the streams would be, were they able to handle the water in such a short while. With that in mind I chose to fish close to home and not have to travel further and find the streams blown out. This stream I had not fished since late September and at that time it was low. This day it was flowing at near capacity, looking lovely in a manner only a small stream can.

The forecast for that day was sunny, windy and cold with high temps in the 30's, that may have been true but it sure felt warmer especially in the sun. I am the guy who doesn't give on the dry fly because the time of year says I should. So the first fly to hit the water was a Bomber. That fly looked so wonderful bouncing along the current, a meal that couldn't be refused. I fished along the likely holding water hoping for a take, and that never came. Perhaps the fish were staying in much softer water and holding the bottom. Looking into the fly box I selected a Picket Pin, one of the few I tie that have weight. I cast it into the water and let it drift slowly towards the bank. I felt the fish strike, pulling back I felt the fish on. Bringing the fish to me I saw a beautifully colored brook trout. Keeping the fish in the water while I retrieved my camera. As I stepped off the bank I slipped and slid into the water. As I pulled myself up and gained composure I found everything to be in order. Sliding my hand under the brookie and attempting to lift him up he shook a few times and was off and running. I did not get wet for I was wearing waist high waders.


I sat up on the bank and poured myself a cup of hot tea, As I sat there I noticed how quiet the woods were, the only sound was the water and the breeze acting up through the laurel. As I sat there I had a thought of a magazine cover. On that cover was an angler holding up a big brown trout, perhaps 20+ inches. The angler had a smile so large you could almost say it was unnatural. Well I wonder what he would have said of me attempting to hold up a 6 inch brookie, and having a bigger smile that he had.

I continued to fish the Pin and in a soft spot near a sunken log I was able to subdue my first brookie.

A beautiful male wild brook trout.


The stream was full of washed in debris, everything from leaves to twigs to some full size branches. With all this happening I still managed to catch several more trout. The soft water near the bank across from the point of the rock my fly stopped swiftly. Suddenly the fish ran upstream and I could tell he was a battler. Several runs up and down, and side to side I finally achieved the upper hand. This time as I slid down the bank with control and lay my hand under his belly and lifted him up for a quick photo...snap and back to the leafy bottomed stream.


It wasn't until I got home and put this photo on the computer that I realized what a gorgeous fish he was. Looking at that tail showed me why he was so strong.


A fine few hours along a "blue line"



27 comments:

  1. Wow! That is some tail on that brookie! Might have to fish there New Year's Day. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Apache Trout,
      Thanks.
      That place is a possibility....as long as there is not a lot of snow.

      Delete
  2. Replies
    1. Kierran Broatch,
      Thanks.
      A wild one for sure K.

      Delete
  3. Beautiful shots Alan...from the looks of that tail he must be an older fish and the ruler of his domain!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HighPlainsFlyFisher,
      Thanks.
      Jeff he has been a ruler for some time. Hope he passed on those genes.

      Delete
  4. That tail looks like a paddle!!! Nice Job Al!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TROUTi,
      Thanks.
      Pete AT wants to fish for him on New Years.

      Delete
    2. Sorry Pete for the wrong spelling.......TROUTI

      Delete
  5. Replies
    1. Mark,
      Thanks.
      Now to deal with the heavy rain.

      Delete
  6. I am awed by any fish, no matter the size. Lucky we are to know the beauty of a six inch wild brooky.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RM Lytle,
      Thanks.
      Yes sir my friend. There are a few of us that can actually say that.

      Delete
  7. Wonderful fish. Thanks for catching some for those of us who can't right now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jim Yaussy Albright,
      Thanks.
      Are you still high and iced?

      Delete
  8. Great day on the water! That last brookie has an impressive tail for sure. I especially love the brilliant color on his fins.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David Knapp,
      Thanks.
      Those fins really stand out.

      Delete
  9. The colors on these brookies are unreal! I know everyone already mentioned the tails, but they are massive! I thought the first tail was large then I saw the second brookie, and I was in awe. Great job for this time of year. The beauty and excitement from these native jewels far outweighs the joy from catching a huge brown.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RI brook trout,
      Thanks.
      If those brookies would put on the weight that their tails would match, we would probably never fish for big browns.

      Delete
  10. Not only the beautiful Brookie caught my attention here..........................
    That cold, clear water did too............................
    Nice to know, that I am not the only ol' Geezer who slips and slides and dunks every now and then...........................

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mel,
      Thanks.
      Cold and clear, just what is needed.
      I manage to slide in once and a while.

      Delete
  11. Very nice. It's good to see the streams finally getting some more water.

    ReplyDelete
  12. RKM,
    Thanks.
    That increased flow may bring some movement of the bigger fellows.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Good to see you got out on a blue line weather you catch fish or not just being there is the reward hope you get out again soon
    Dennis

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dennis Horn,
      Thanks.
      Dennis it was a wonderful day. With all this rain we've had it may be awhile before I'm out again.

      Delete